Pain Connection Blogwith Dr. Mehtahttp://www.painspecialistsofaustin.com/PainConnectionBlog.aspxHand-in-Glove: Associated Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndromehttp://www.painspecialistsofaustin.com/PainConnectionBlog/TabId/32136/PostId/6096/hand-in-glove-associated-factors-of-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.aspxChronic PainFri, 22 Jun 2018 19:03:17 GMT<p>Nature and nurture both play a role in the occurrence of many <a href="http://www.painspecialistsofaustin.com/PainConnectionBlog/TabId/32136/PostId/5954/going-to-great-pains-the-path-toward-diagnosing-your-chronic-disorder.aspx">different diseases and conditions</a>. One condition that is often affected by our environment and genetics is called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder that causes persistent tingling, pain, weakness, and loss of proprioception (spatial reasoning) in the hand and wrist. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, CTS is actually a group of symptoms that result from the compression of the median nerve of the wrist &ndash; which<span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"> runs from the forearm all the way to the palm of the hand. When it becomes compacted or compressed, it can cause injury and impairment.</span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">Some people are genetically prone to be more susceptible to CTS, so understanding the anatomy can help. The carpal tunnel is a (very) slender passageway running through the palm side of our wrists, and the median nerve &ndash; which is responsible for sensation and hand movement &ndash; runs through it. <sup><span>&nbsp;</span></sup>However, in some cases the synovium (the<sup> </sup>tissue that surrounds it) swells up, rather than lubricate the tendons as they should. Unfortunately, some people are built with narrower carpal tunnels to begin with, and increased pressure or overuse only exacerbates the problem.</span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">Gender plays a large role in the possibility for developing carpal tunnel syndrome &ndash; with women having three times more risk than men. For one, a woman&rsquo;s wrist is typically more petite than a man&rsquo;s, meaning that nerves must pass through tighter spaces for adequate functioning. Hormonal changes &ndash; due to pregnancy, Menopause, or lymphedema (the build-up of fluids that occurs after mastectomy) &ndash; can all cause fluid retention and pain in the wrist.</span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">There are also many underlying <a href="http://http://www.painspecialistsofaustin.com/PainConnectionBlog/TabId/32136/PostId/5732/facet-blocks-vs-nerve-block-injections.aspx">medical conditions</a> which are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Hypothyroidism, lupus, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis all make a person&nbsp;more prone to developing the condition. In some cases, CTS is a precursor or signal that other diseases will follow. A study published in <em>Diabetes Care</em>, found that p</span><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: -0.2pt; color: black;">eople who had been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome were 36% more likely to be diagnosed as diabetic down the road &ndash; regardless of other Diabetes risk factors.</span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; letter-spacing: -0.2pt; color: black;">Many times, choice of one&rsquo;s daily activities or profession can place them </span><span style="color: black;">at greater risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Those in occupations that require repetitive wrist movements &ndash; such as assembly line workers, manufacturing associates, secretaries (or those who type frequently), and construction workers, should take precautions to prevent CTS. Taking breaks, paying attention to proper hand posture, wearing a brace, and making ergonomic adjustments to your workplace, are all helpful lifestyle changes to incorporate. A physical therapist may be able to recommend exercises that target the hands and wrists, and reduce the pressure placed on them.</span></p>
<p>There&rsquo;s a light at the end of the (Carpal) tunnel. If you sufficiently treat your condition <em>early </em>by making small adjustments, you may be able to eradicate your symptoms altogether. Don&rsquo;t wait until it&rsquo;s too late; seek help from a well-respected physician. Pain Specialists of Austin lives up to their motto &ldquo;Help is on the way&rdquo; &ndash; offering a host of reliable techniques for relieving carpal tunnel discomfort. For more information, call their office at 512-485-7200.</p>
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<p><sup><span>1</span></sup><span>Sports-health.com</span></p>
<p><sup><span>2</span></sup><span>Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4476336/</span></p>
<p><sup><span>3</span></sup><span>Webmd.com</span></p>
<p><sup><span>4</span></sup><span>Orthoinfo.aaos.org</span></p>
<p><sup><span>5</span></sup><span>Womenshealth.gov</span></p>
<p><sup><span>6</span></sup><span>Healthline.com</span></p>6096Going to Great Pains: The Path Toward Diagnosing Your Chronic Disorder http://www.painspecialistsofaustin.com/PainConnectionBlog/TabId/32136/PostId/5954/going-to-great-pains-the-path-toward-diagnosing-your-chronic-disorder.aspxChronic PainFri, 09 Feb 2018 18:45:00 GMT<p><span>Whoever coined the saying &ldquo;Pain of mind is worse than pain of body&rdquo; probably never experienced chronic pain. Chronic pain can be caused by a number of factors &ndash; genetics, anxiety, injury, or disease; and in some cases, doctors might have difficulty discovering just what it is that is leaving their patients in peril. According to a National Health Institute study, 11.2% of all Americans suffer from chronic pain.</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>It&rsquo;s important to understand the difference between acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is severe or sudden and can be attributed to something that you <em>can</em> pinpoint, for example, a surgery, illness, or accident. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is persistent &ndash; lasting for months and possibly longer. In many cases, physicians can go to great lengths to detect the root of this mysterious malady. It often takes patience and multiple visits to medical specialists before a diagnosis can be made.</span></p>
<p><span>One of the first steps to diagnosis is rating your pain. How we describe our pain can reveal a lot of valuable information to our physicians. Numerical ratings are sometimes used as a scale; in other cases, doctors may ask you to keep a journal or log of your pain, or to describe your pain in words. One famous verbal rating scale is known as the </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">McGill Pain Questionnaire.</span><span> All of these assessments are key factors in determining whether the cause of our discomfort is muscular or neurological in nature. There are many tip-offs, but pain that is described as having a burning, tingling, or &ldquo;pins and needles&rdquo; feeling leans toward nerve pain, whereas a tender, throbbing, or stiffness is indicative of muscle pain. For </span><span>those who have trouble communicating, or exhibit mild cognitive impairments, tests such as Wong-Baker and Observer scales make assessments based on facial expression and heart rate.</span></p>
<p><span>According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, there are over 30 years of research and evidence that verify the importance and validity of psychological assessment in chronic pain evaluation. Anxiety and depression often coincide with the incidence of chronic pain; in fact, <span style="background: white; color: black;">in those experiencing chronic pain, concurrent depression occurs in up to 52% of those in pain clinics. It&rsquo;s a vicious cycle, as depression can cause chronic pain, but chronic pain can also lead to depression.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">Physical and neurological exams will delve deeper into the ratings test information collected previously. A comprehensive physical exam will allow your doctor to examine your strength and posture, as well as denote any abnormalities that could be the culprit of your chronic pain. Your physician will most likely check your balance, reflexes, and coordination, as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">Blood<sup> </sup>tests are never a bad idea. Most people know the value of having their blood tested yearly for lipids, cholesterol, and so on. However, did you consider the role these factors are playing in your pain? Blood tests are highly valuable for ruling out causes of your pain that may have gone under the radar. Everything from vitamin deficiencies to autoimmune disorders can be validated with a simple vile of blood. Persistent pain in muscles and joints has been linked to a sluggish thyroid, while achiness coincides with a lack of Vitamin D.</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">If the abovementioned diagnostics point to nerve damage, there are a number of supplemental tests that can be administered. Measuring the speed at which an electrical impulse travels through your nerve, Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) tests are advantageous for diagnosing pain disorders such as </span><span style="background: white; padding: 0in; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black;">Guillain-Barr&eacute; syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Sciatic nerve problems. Often used<sup> </sup></span><span style="color: black;">in tandem with NCV tests, </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">Electromyography</span><span style="color: black;"> (</span><span style="color: black;">EMG) involves the insertion of a needle into the muscle to record electrical activity. Electrical activity in a &ldquo;resting&rdquo; muscle is a sure-fire sign of a muscle or nerve disorder, or inflammation.</span></p>
<p><span style="background: white; color: black;">One thing is clear: there&rsquo;s no one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosing chronic pain. Pain Specialists of Austin offers a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, and has the tools needed to tackle everything from spine disorders, to <a href="http://www.painspecialistsofaustin.com/PainManagementServices/CancerPainManagement">cancer pain management.</a> For more information, call 512-485-7200.</span></p>
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<p><sup><span>1</span></sup><span>Medicaldaily.com</span></p>
<p><sup><span>2</span></sup><span>MayoClinic.org</span></p>
<p><sup><span>3</span></sup><span>Verywellhealth.com</span></p>
<p><sup><span>4</span></sup><span>Ntc.lluh.org/</span></p>
<p><sup><span>5</span></sup><span>Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295636/</span></p>
<p><sup><span>6</span></sup><span>Theunbrokensmile.com/blood-tests-a-chronic-pain-patient-needs/</span></p>
<p><sup><span>7</span></sup><span>Hopkinsmedicine.org</span></p>
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